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Meet the vegans: Forest Green Rovers prepare for life in the football league

Forest Green have added 11 new players to the squad. Photo: ITV West Country

Forest Green Rovers are preparing to begin life in the football league as they kick off against Barnet this Saturday (July 5).

The club from Nailsworth in Gloucestershire won promotion to League Two last season for the first time in its history.

Forest Green won promotion through the playoffs last season. Credit: ITV West Country

The rapid rise of the club means staff and players must adapt to new surroundings.

At the club's preseason media day there were 20 organisations present - last season there were 5.

The club is receiving added media attention since earning promotion. Credit: ITV West Country

Forest Green have gained a reputation for pioneering eco-friendly methods.

Chairman Dale Vince is a local businessman who owns green company Ecotricity.

The club used a robot mower that is solar and wind powered. Credit: ITV West Country

The menu at the club is exclusively vegan and this extends to meals eaten by the players.

Much has been made of the vegan menu at the club eaten by players and fans. Credit: ITV West Country

On the field, Forest Green have signed a raft of new players, with 11 new faces arriving at the New Lawn.

Chairman Dale Vince says promotion has made it easier to attract players to the club.

What we're finding is in League Two [players] are interested in us and that's the difference. If you ask a player to drop out of the league into non-league that's a big ask but now we're here in the league suddenly there's a different group of players available to us.

– Dale Vince, Chairman

As well as new arrivals, Forest Green have also held onto most of the key players who secured promotion last season.

Captain Liam Noble and last season's top scorer Christian Doidge have both signed new contracts.

Christian Doidge, top scorer for Forest Green last season, has signed a new two-year deal. Credit: ITV West Country

Rovers have received a financial boost from reaching the Football League with season ticket sales increasing significantly.

20%

increase in season ticket sales

The club will be hoping to sell many replicas of its new home kit. Credit: ITV West Country

More than 2,000 fans are expected to attend the season opener this weekend.

But for Vince, nothing will compromise the club's ethical values.

He says as the club rises it will be even more able to promote environmental issues.

The combination is important to us. We're bringing environment issues into the heart of the football club. It has to be a football club that does well otherwise the environment issues don't look so good.